Anti-oxidative ActivitiesPumpkin seeds have long been used for health benefits and the seed oils of pumpkin may also contain many active beneficial components. The active beneficial components may protect important biological molecules from oxidative stress. [A8] Pumpkin seed oil is a rich source of antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids [A2].

ArthritisAdministration of pumpkin seed oil to rats suffered from arthritis was found to improve the signs of arthritis such as paw oedema. [A2] Administration of pumpkin seed oil together with simvastatin to high cholesterol-fed rabbits, for three weeks caused a significant reduction of the aortic contractile response to norepinephrine and to normalize the most adverse effects observed during hypercholesterolemia. [A3] Thus, pumpkin seed oil may benefit people at risk of arthritis.

Blood pressure (BP)Pumpkin seed oil may offer benefits of blood pressure lowering and cardiac-protection. A study suggested that pumpkin seed oil might enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of calcium antagonist felodipine or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-inhibitor), captopril. [A5] Pumpkin seed oil (40 or 100?mg/kg), amlodipine (0.9?mg/kg), or vehicle (control) was given once daily orally for 6 weeks. Pumpkin seed oil or amlodipine treatment significantly reduced the elevation in BP. Both pumpkin seed oil and amlodipine treatments significantly decreased the elevated levels of plasma malondialdehyde and reversed the decreased levels of NO metabolites to near normal values. This study has shown that pumpkin seed oil exhibits an antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects through a mechanism that may involve generation of NO. [C1] Thus, there is a potential that pumpkin seed oil may benefit people at risk of high blood pressure. Pumpkin seed protein isolate has shown benefits on the liver health in an animal study. The administration of pumpkin seed protein isolates after carbon tetrachloride intoxication resulted in significantly reduced activity levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LD), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). [A7]

Benign prostatic hyperplasiaPumpkin seed oil is always combined with saw palmetto to reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia [1,2]. However, it alone has also been used to reduce BPH's symptoms [3,4]. In a study, 47 benign prostatic hyperplasia patients received either sweet potato starch (group A, placebo, 320 mg/day), pumpkin seed oil (group B, 320 mg/day), saw palmetto oil (group C, 320 mg/day) or pumpkin seed oil plus saw palmetto oil (group D, each 320 mg/day). Quality of life score was improved after 6 months in group D, while those of groups B and C were improved after 3 months, compared to the baseline value. Maximal urinary flow rate were gradually improved in groups B and C, with statistical significance after 6 months in group B and after 12 months in group C. None of the parameters were significantly improved by combined treatment with pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil. [C3]

Pumpkin seed oil extracts standardized for fatty acid content have been used in benign prostatic hyperplasia studies. Men suffered from benign prostatic hyperplasia usually take a dosage of 160 mg three times a day with meal [12].

CancerEffects of phytoestrogen extracts Isolated from pumpkin seeds was demonstrated on estradiol production and estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor expression in breast cancer and trophoblast tumor cells. Thus, pumpkin seed's lignans may be beneficial to people at risk of breast cancer. [D1]

High Cholesterol LevelPumpkin seed oil offer benefits to postmenopausal women in a study.

DepressionIntake of pumpkin seeds is believed to benefit people at risk of depression, as L-tryptophan in pumpkin seeds are suggested to help remedy depression [9].

Kidney StoneIn Thailand, people use pumpkin seeds to prevent kidney stone [10-11]. Pumpkin seeds appear to slow down the stone formation in the urine. Thus, it may benefit people at risk of kidney stone.

MenopauseSome phytosterols are known to reduce blood levels of cholesterol. A pilot study showed pumpkin seed oil had some benefits for postmenopausal women in cholesterol. In this study,Wheat germ oil (placebo; n = 14) and pumpkin seed oil (n = 21) were administered to women with menopause, over a 12-week period at a dosage of 2 g per day. Women receiving pumpkin seed oil showed a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and decrease in diastolic blood pressure. There was also a significant improvement in the menopausal symptom scores, with a decrease in severity of hot flushes, less headaches and less joint pains being the main contributors. Women in the group receiving wheat germ oil reported being more depressed and having more unloved feeling. [C2]Thus, pumpkin seed oil may benefit women at menopause.

Osteoporotic FractureZinc-rich foods are known to benefit people at risk of osteoporosis. Zinc supplementation has been shown to protect from an enhanced risk of femoral neck fracture due to chronic exposure to cadmium in a rat study [B1] Though there is no direct evidence that intake of pumpkin seed can benefit people at risk of osteoporosis, most people believe pumpkin seed oil can offer such benefit. It is because pumpkin seed oil is a good source of zinc.

This website discusses the benefits and side effects of various supplements, herbs and drug products. Different people may experience different side effects and benefits of a product. You are encouraged to report pumpkin seed oil side effects to FDA, its website is www.fda.gov., or report the adverse side effects of pumpkin seed oil directly to the manufacturer, you should be able to find the contact information on the label.

There are always new information. Please, send me an email (zhion@zhion.com) to correct my mistake(s). Reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document and the information provided herein is believed to be accurate. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is important to seek the advice of a physician about any medical condition or symptom or the benefits and side effects of pumpkin seed oil supplement or product. Finally, please, do not transfer the article to other website. Thank you. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Pumpkin [Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita maxima]

Pumpkins are native to North and Central America. Native Americans used pumpkin flesh/seeds for food, seeds to treat intestinal infections and various kidney problems and flowers to soothe minor injuries. Historically, Now, the cultivation of pumpkins occurs throughout the world. Today, the leading commercial producers of pumpkins are the United States, Mexico, India and China.

Ingredients and Nutritional ValuesPumpkin and its seed have great nutritional values. Pumpkin's active ingredients include essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), minerals and vitamins. Pumpkin seeds, also called as pepitas, are flat, dark green. Some have a yellow-white husk, some varieties of pumpkins produce seeds without shells. Pumpkin Seed Meal has a high calorie content of 568 calories/100 g. [A1] Crude protein content in dry matter of a typical pumpkin seed cake is about 598.0 g/kg. Seed kernels of pumpkin are rich in fat soluble vitamins, oil and protein, containing considerable amounts of P, K, Mg, Mn, and Ca. [6, 8] Roasted pumpkin contains a significantly high amount of carotenoids, especially zeaxanthin. [A8] Pumpkin seed kernel flour has high values of chemical score, essential amino acid index, and in vitro protein digestibility. It could be potentially added to food systems such as bakery products and ground meat formulations as a nutrient supplement as well as a functional agent. [A6] Pumpkin Seed Oil has high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids with linoleic and oleic acids as the major acids. [A6]

Pumpkin seed (pepitas) is believed to have potential prostate benefits, because of its rich content of the omega-3 fats, carotenoids as well as zinc. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. Doctors call this condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy. More than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90 percent in their seventies and eighties have some symptoms of BPH. As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. As men age, the amount of active testosterone in the blood decreases, leaving a higher proportion of estrogen. Studies done on animals have suggested that BPH may occur because the higher amount of estrogen within the gland increases the activity of substances that promote cell growth. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) may also have a role in the BPH. The ingredients described in pumpkin seed oil appear able to interrupt this triggering of prostate cell multiplication by testosterone and DHT.

Pumpkin Seed Oil is a viscous, very dark green to dark red oil. Pumpkin seed oil is a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as myristic acid, palmitic acid, steric acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidic acid etc. Pumpkin seed oil has been used in salad dressing, ice cream and other food products. Pumpkin seed oil is believed to benefit people at risk of BPH, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol and certain parasitic infestations. This article discusses the potential health benefits of pumpkin seed and pumpkin seed oil on various conditions.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________